2284. thambeó

Lexical Summary

thambeó: To astonish, to amaze, to be astounded

Original Word: θαμβέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: thambeó
Pronunciation: tham-BEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (tham-beh'-o)
KJV: amaze, astonish
NASB: amazed
Word Origin: [from G2285 (θάμβος - amazement)]

1. to stupefy (with surprise), i.e. astound

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

amaze, astonish.

From thambos; to stupefy (with surprise), i.e. Astound -- amaze, astonish.

see GREEK thambos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2284 thambéō – to astonish, amaze (passive, dumbfounded) to the point of becoming emotionally "stalled" ("shutting down") – also implying a sense of wonder or terror (Vine, Unger, White). See 2285 (thambos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from thambos
Definition
to astonish
NASB Translation
amazed (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2284: θαμβέω

θαμβέω, θαμβω; passive, imperfect ἐθαμβουμην; 1 aorist ἐθαμβήθην; (θάμβος, which see);

1. to be astonished: Acts 9:6 Rec. (Homer, Sophocles, Euripides)

2. to astonish, terrify: 2 Samuel 22:5; passive to be amazed: Mark 1:27; Mark 10:32; followed by ἐπί with the dative of the thing, Mark 10:24; to be frightened, 1 Macc. 6:8; Wis. 17:3; Plutarch, Caesar 45; Brut. 20. (Compare: θάμβος (allied with τάφος amazement, from a Sanskrit root signifying to render immovable; Curtius, § 233; Vanicek, p. 1130), θάμβους, τό; from Homer down; amazement: Luke 4:36; Luke 5:9; Acts 3:10.

Topical Lexicon

Essence of the Term

This verb depicts a sudden, overwhelming sense of astonishment that seizes the whole person. It includes both intellectual bewilderment and an emotional jolt, as though a curtain were pulled back on a reality too weighty to process in the moment. In the New Testament it is reserved for responses to the words or presence of Jesus Christ and therefore carries a reverential dimension beyond ordinary surprise.

Occurrences in the Gospel of Mark

1. Mark 1:27 – After Jesus drives out an unclean spirit, “All the people were astonished and began to ask, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!’”. The amazement springs from the union of authoritative teaching with demonstrable power over the demonic realm.
2. Mark 10:24 – When Jesus declares how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom, “The disciples were amazed at His words”. Their shock reveals how deeply wealth had been assumed as a sign of divine favor; Jesus overturns that expectation.
3. Mark 10:32 – On the road to Jerusalem, “Jesus was leading the way, and the disciples were amazed, but those who followed were afraid”. The looming Passion intensifies the disciples’ wonder: the Messiah strides purposefully toward suffering, contradicting their triumphal expectations.

Spiritual Dynamics of Holy Amazement

• Confrontation with Divine Authority – Each occurrence links the reaction to Jesus’ unexpected exercise of sovereign power or teaching.
• Invitation to Deeper Understanding – Amazement is not an end in itself but a doorway to clearer perception of Christ’s identity.
• Catalyst for Confession – In Mark 1:27 the crowd’s amazement provokes questions about the nature of Jesus’ authority, paving the way for future confessions such as Peter’s in Mark 8:29.

Historical-Cultural Background

First-century Judaism anticipated authoritative teachers and powerful prophets, yet nothing prepared the populace for Jesus’ seamless command over both Scripture and spirits. Greek and Roman culture prized rhetorical skill, but lacked categories for a rabbi whose words reordered creation. The reaction captured by this verb underscores the historical credibility of eyewitness testimony: no literary embellishment can fabricate so consistent a pattern of shock.

Christological Significance

Amazement serves Mark’s purpose of unveiling Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 1:1). Each instance advances the narrative: the first miracle signals messianic authority; the wealth discourse exposes kingdom values; the road to Jerusalem reveals the Servant-King’s path to the cross. The verb thereby functions as a literary spotlight, forcing readers to grapple with the mystery and mission of Christ.

Relationship to Fear and Faith

Mark 10:32 juxtaposes amazement with fear, showing that awe can tip either toward worshipful trust or anxious withdrawal. When amazement is paired with faith, it matures into worship (cf. Mark 5:33). When severed from faith, it devolves into terror or hardened skepticism (cf. Mark 6:6).

Implications for Discipleship and Ministry

1. Expect the Unexpected – Genuine encounters with the Lord still unsettle presuppositions. Disciples must remain teachable.
2. Proclaim His Authority – Preaching should aim, under the Spirit’s empowerment, to awaken that same reverent astonishment at Christ’s person and work.
3. Lead Toward Faith – Pastoral care guides people from initial shock to informed trust, as Jesus did by repeatedly instructing His bewildered followers (Mark 10:27).

Wider Canonical Resonances

Though the exact verb is confined to Mark, the concept threads through Scripture:
• Exodus 15:11 – “Who is like You, O LORD… awesome in splendor, working wonders?”
• Psalm 33:8 – “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him.”
• Acts 2:43 – “A sense of awe came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”

Both Old and New Testaments affirm that encounters with God’s revealed power evoke astonishment that should culminate in obedient faith and worship.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 2284 captures the disciples’ and crowds’ visceral reaction to Jesus’ unique authority. It testifies historically to the impact of His ministry, theologically to His divine identity, and pastorally to the kind of transformative awe that still marks true discipleship.

Forms and Transliterations

εθαμβήθη εθαμβήθην εθαμβηθησαν εθαμβήθησαν ἐθαμβήθησαν εθάμβησάν εθαμβουντο εθαμβούντο ἐθαμβοῦντο θαμβείσθαι θαμβουμένους θαμβών ethambethesan ethambēthēsan ethambḗthesan ethambḗthēsan ethambounto ethamboûnto

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 1:27 V-AIP-3P
GRK: καὶ ἐθαμβήθησαν ἅπαντες ὥστε
NAS: They were all amazed, so
KJV: all amazed, insomuch that
INT: And were astonished all so that

Mark 10:24 V-IIM/P-3P
GRK: δὲ μαθηταὶ ἐθαμβοῦντο ἐπὶ τοῖς
NAS: The disciples were amazed at His words.
KJV: the disciples were astonished at
INT: moreover [the] disciples were astonished at the

Mark 10:32 V-IIM/P-3P
GRK: Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἐθαμβοῦντο οἱ δὲ
NAS: was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those
KJV: and they were amazed; and
INT: Jesus and they were astonished those moreover

Strong's Greek 2284
3 Occurrences

ἐθαμβήθησαν — 1 Occ.
ἐθαμβοῦντο — 2 Occ.